July 7, 2014

General Email:

A lot happened last week, and I forgot to bring my journal so I could take a look and talk about everything. Oh well. So, last Monday was very interesting. We were brushing out teach when the tornado sirens started going off. We thought we hear them, so we opened our front door and could hear them loud and clear. We texted a ward member and she ended up calling us telling us that a tornado had touched down in Illinois and our area was in it's path. It was supposed to be coming by us. 80 m.p.h winds were supposed to hit at 10:50. Sure enough, they did. The wind was so intense. It sounded like a monster. Our beds are right next to a sliding glass door, where the wind was pushing against. The power started going crazy, flicking on and off. We grabbed our matrisses from our beds and put them in the hall and kitchen, which was probably the safest place, furthest from all the windows. We said a prayer and felt peace, that we would be just fine, so we went to bed. The next morning, sure enough, we were untouched. We went jogging and didn't see any damage, but people said huge trees in some part had been uprooted, ones that had survived the mothers day micro burst. Since then we have seen them. They are giant trees. As far as we know, the tornado didn't come by us, just the really high winds.

Next thing I want to mention is the 4th of July parade. We were in it!!! We helped set up a little float that had the Salt Lake Temple, pictures of Christ, and had seats for people to sit, along with lots of bags of candy. Some of the missionaries knew people who could make labels. They said fun things such as "Families are forever! Mormon.org" or just mormon.org. The parade started late, so we got to take some fun pictures of us with the float. During the parade we passed out pass along cards, along with candy. It was interesting to see their reactions. People aren't the friendliest. Some were nice, some shot dirty looks, one ripped up a card, some dropped the cards as soon as they saw the word mormon, others handed them back, one might have told me I was going to burn. Well, it wasn't the easiest, but the parade was fun. The primary kids sat on the float and sang families can be together forever. The elders did a wonderful job of getting people involved by having one side of the parade try to yell "U.S.A" and "God bless America" louder than the other side. It was fun to see. I'm so proud of our elders and sisters. They showed no fear and so much love for God, this work, and the people as they went around with smiles on their faces, handing out cards, trying to help as many people as they could. I just love them and am so grateful for their wonderful examples. They truly are just so amazing. God has called great people to serve Him.

This kids loved the candy. Parades seem so different here. The people look like they are upset if you throw candy to them, rather than just put candy in the bags children run out and meet you with. Is throwing candy just a Utah thing?

We hit a hard point this week. An investigator that we love so much.... kind of turned on us. She no longer treats us as friends. It broke our hearts to lose such a close friend and to be treated harshly. I don't understand what happened. 

We have an investigator who we found three weeks ago while tracting. He is truly amazing and we have seen him become so happy as he has come to church, read the scriptures, and is coming closer to Christ. He is such a wonderful example. I'm so proud of him. :)

Transfers are this week. We got the news on Saturday they we will both stay here for another transfer. :) We get to have a third transfer together. It is so good. We really had no idea what was going to happen. It is exciting to see what God has in store for us. I don't know if there is someone here I can help, or if I'm going to learn something here. We'll see. I'm learning things everywhere, but different places tend to teach different lessons. What will this one be?

I love you all and hope all is going well. Love you lots!!!

June 30, 2014

General Email:

Alright, I think I e-mailed everyone back. If I didn't, just let me know. I don't want to miss anyone.

Okay, so, since I was in a rush last week, I didn't get to talk about a few things. First off, I mowed a lawn for the first time!!!! Wooo!!!! Back in Utah, I wanted to learn how, but people always mowed it before I got the chance to even try (Cough cough, dad and Colton). I also got to weed wack. From this experience, I got a nasty blister on my left thumb. Two days after getting it, it started to ooz puss, so I talked to the mission nurse and she said to soak it in warm salt water. I guess germs can't survive in warm salt water. It did the trick! It's healing very nicely now. It's not nearly as tender as it was in the beginning. It was so tender that I couldn't do my hair. Just my hair applying pressure to it hurt. My companion had to throw it into a quick braid. Apart from getting a blister, I'm so happy I finally got to mow a lawn!!!! Woot!!!! 

I had an awesome moment where my custodial skills came into play. I went to go see an investigator who hasn't been feeling to good. When we got to her house, the floor was very dirty because her vacuum had been broken for about a week. I asked my companion for her pocket knife that has a screw driver, opened up the vacuum, unclogged it, and it works!!! And we vacuumed her floor. Working on custodial at BYU is coming in handy here. :D

There was a day where we were on the go so much, I really needed to use the bathroom, and my companion didn't believe me. Finally, I made it very clear that we needed to find a bathroom NOW, so a ward member that was with us drove us to a Walgreens, and they had no bathroom!!!!!! But luckily, Subway did and was close by. Woo, that was terrible. It was funny after I was able to find a bathroom. My companion still laughs at me. This is the problem with missionary work. You can never use the bathroom when knocking doors or when you have a really busy day. Oh well. The member bought us each a cookie. :D Also, funny story, some random guy called us. His name is Jake, and he's from Utah. He's out here selling Seven Peaks Water Park passes and he likes to throw in that he's a Mormon as he goes door to door. He found someone who wanted to learn more, so we met up with him at the mans house. However, when he saw we were girls, he changed his mind and said he would like Jake to teach him. Jake did his best to explain that we were missionaries and it was what we did for 18 months straight, sharing the gospel is what we do! But he didn't change his mind. Oh well. It was awesome to see a member working hard to share the gospel. I want to be like that when I come home. Remember, every member is a missionary!!! Don't forget to try to share the gospel!!! Seriously, don't forget!

We had a cool experience last week where Sister North got the feeling to call a less active family. When we called, the member said, "how did you know something happened?" We said we didn't, but that we felt we needed to call. I guess her sons car hydroplaned on the express way and he was hit by two semi's. One head on, and another T-boned him. He walked away from the accident just fine though. He had a slight concussion. It's a miracle really. The paramedic were so shocked. The bishop came and gave her a blessing (the bishop is their nephew). We also had a lesson with this family yesterday. It's amazing to see all the changes that have occurred, how happy they are, and how much they are beginning to love the Book of Mormon. :D

So, get this, we went to a pizza place on Wednesday, and whenever we go out to eat, I love to draw a fun message on a napkin with the churches websites on the bottom, and Sister North places a mormon.org card next to it. The person taking our dirty plates was a woman who seemed very kind. We went back to this same pizza place on Friday, just two days later. While Sister North and I went to the food counter to get pizza, we saw the woman who gathered our dirty plates a couple of nights before, standing behind the food counter. I other tell her coworker, "thos are the girls who left me a mormon.org card..." I couldn't hear the rest. As soon as she finishe talking to her coworker, he came over to us and asked if there was anything he could help us with. We said no, but thanks. he and the woman watched us throught the time we were there. There happened to be a Baptist preacher there, someone that Sister North met months ago before I came. We heard him ask the woman if she had a faith. She said she grew up Catholic, but after losing her child, she stopped going. After hearing that part, Sister North and I looked at each other and realized we had the same idea. I flipped over the napkin I had just drawn a fun message on and wrote my testimony about the Plan of Salvation, how death wasn't the end and how we would see our loved ones again someday. Hopefully the man who was gathering the dirty plates saw it and showed it to his coworkers. It seemed to create quite the stir the last time, enough that people were curious of who were are and they watched us the entire time we were there. It should hopefully catch their attention again. :D

We taught two lessons on Thursday. It's amazing to see the difference in teaching people who are prepared for the gospel, and others who are still a little closed off, but still want to learn. The one who is a little closed off, in a round about way, accused us of being judgmental of others and saying that people are worshiping God wrong by saying people need to go to church. I asked her this, "If you knew God's church was on the earth, wouldn't you go to it?" She said yes. I then asked, "How would you know it was His true church?" This got her thinking. We explained that God's true church IS here on the earth today. He has given us guidelines to live by. He has told us how He is going to judge us. He isn't going to expect us to live blindly and then say, "Oops, you didn't do this like you were supposed to." He has told us very clearly what we must do. She can only know this for herself if she reads, prays, and comes to church to discover for herself if this is indeed, God's true church. The woman we taught after was more open. Her kids came home near the beginning of the lesson. Her son got very interested and asked some amazing questions. Even his mom was shocked. At the end, he wanted his own Book of Mormon and said he would read the introduction. Wow!!! What a neat experience. 

We got to help one of the Elders investigators move on Saturday, we helped with a garage sell, and we got to attend a baptism. Something went wrong with the water and it was brown. The person getting baptized was a great sport and went on ahead and got baptized anyway. :D What a great sport. Our 29 year old investigator came. He described the baptism as uplifting and inspiring. :D He read the introduction of the Book of Mormon and said it was enlightening. Wow. How amazing. 

Transfer calls come this week. I really don't want to leave, and I don't want Sister North to leave either. We have our moments, but we love working together, and there are some people here that we really want to keep working with. Ah! I really hope we get one more transfer together and have the opportunity to keep working with the amazing people in this area. They truly are wonderful. This is my favorite area, to be honest. It feels so nice to be here, and there are so many wonderful people. Although, if one of us does leave, "come what may and love it." It won't be easy, but wonderful things are always happening, no matter who is where.

It hit me the other day that I have hit 11 months are serving. Tomorrow, I can say, "this month I hit my year mark." Wow. So strange. I have seven months left here. It feels like forever, yet, no time at all. The time to go home seems so distant, yet, too close. What a strange feeling... I'm happy though. I have so much more learning to do. There are so many things to learn and to do. Seriously though, it's so strange. I'm in my eighth tansfer. Next week I hit transfer nine, and will only have four more transfers left..... AHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We won't think about this for now.

I hope you are all having an amazing week. I got an update from my sister that she is working to be a great member missionary. What are you doing to share the gospel? Remember, it doesn't have to be anything big. Create the opportunity for them to feel the Spirit, and the Holy Ghost will do the rest. Just let him guide you. Also, remember this, you never really know what is in a persons heart. Just invite them to learn. You never know what they will say. For example, my companion and I met someone the other day. I chickened out and didn't ask her if she would like to learn more. My companion, howeverl, did, and they lady said, "Sure, why not." Wow. See, you never know!!!! Just ask and create opportunities to learn more. In my personal study today, I read in 3 Nephi about when Christ was visiting the people in America. He said very clearly to declare the gospel to the world. Everyone reading this letter, remember that, even though you may not be wearing a name tag, God still expects you to reach and share His gospel with His children. He will give you the opportunities and strength to do so as you ask Him for help. He loves them as much as he loves you and He wants ALL of His children to come back to Him. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

June 23, 2014

General Email:

I'm out of time again, so I will have to summarize things. On Saturday, we got caught in another storm. We had a flooding warning this time, but didn't realize we were driving into one!!!! It was rain water mixed with sewage. The car was screaming because the water was so deep. We were able to pull into someones drive and get out. We helped someone else who was stuck, and then were given permission to drive through some lawns to avoid the rest of the flooded road. We prayed that the car would have no permanent damage, and our prayer is answered!!! Woo!!!! This car is a trooper for helping us get through two storms. What a trooper. 

We had a zone activity today. I'M SO BURNED. We got to go to the beach. I didn't have any sun screen.. anyway. It was super fun, but then it rained super hard and we all got cought in it. I was probably standing out in pouring rain for a good 40 minutes. Long story there. We got all cleaned up and now I'm e-mailing as quickly as I can. If I don't answer you today, sorry!!!! I'm working on it. Ah!

We met someone two Sundays ago. He's 29. Within a week he has come to institute, church, had a lesson with us, and came to todays zone activity. He really likes it. And it has only been one week... Holy cow!!!

The Spirit is awesome!!!! Did you know that? Super awesome!!!! Also, make sure you study about the sacrament. It's so crazy important, more than any of us can really truly understand. Man, study it up!!! 

Love you all!!! Bye!!!

Sister Wells

June 16, 2014

General Email:

This past week... wasn't one of my favorite, yet, great things happened. First off, lets talk about the annoying stuff. People like to argue and try to tell you your wrong. All we do is ask if we can share a message, and they go crazy. This week, there were three main people who liked to bible bash in a way. The funny thing about meeting each of these people is that they don't prove anything to me. They just confirm to me more than ever that this gospel is true. I feel it, I know it, I live it, I love it. Their logic is strange and they contradict themselves a lot. I wonder if they really know what they are saying. They make no sense. I just don't understand them and why they do certain things. But, seriously, this church is so true. It's just true. Goodness, why can't people understand that? Why is it so hard for people? Why are their hearts so hardened? This is just mind blowing for me this week. 

On the other hand, we had a great lesson with our investigator Debbie (If you are going to share my letters, please disguise the names out of respect for their privacy). She was struggling to recognize the Holy Ghost at first. She had been taught not to listen to her feelings, only logic, and had been taught that the Holy Ghost meant evidence of a prediction. It was like a proof thing, metaphoric and such. We have struggled to help her understand that the Holy Ghost is and actual being. During a lesson, it came to mind to ask her "who" the Holy Ghost is, emphasizing that simple word. Who? Not, "how can we recognize the Holy Ghost," or "what does the Spirit do?" Just, "who." That really got her thinking and it changed everything. It flipped the switch in her mind. She understands! This past week we asked her how she was doing in recognizing the Holy Ghost. She said she was doing better, and to her, the Spirit feels like a tingly feeling. When we had taught her about the Holy Ghost, we had never used that word to describe how it might feel. She figured this out all on her own. She knows it's true!!! She has grown and changed so much within the past two months that I have been here. She really is learning a ton. It's amazing. :) It's people like her and my amazing friend that got baptized in my last area that make everything worth it. :) They make it worth it to run into mean people who want nothing more than to hurt you. They make all the knocking on doors worth it. I love them. They are so special. :) I'm out of time to write! Ah! 

Sincerely, Sister Wells.

June 09, 2014

General Email:

This last week was an interesting one. We had exchanges from Monday to Tuesday. The last time we did, I stayed in my area while Sister North went to Chicago. This time, I went to Chicago with the Sister Training Leader while Sister North stayed in our area. Chicago is interesting. Oh! Before I forget, the Sister Training Leaders live just down the street from President Obama's home. I saw his house. Interesting. Yes, it was VERY well patrolled. Lots of big signs warning people of the consequences of trespassing. You do a lot of walking in the city and meet many interesting people. I admit, while driving, I'm not very patient, especially when the men are staring at us because we are two little white girls passing through the neighbor hood. There were a couple I wanted to punch in the face if they didn't stop staring from their car windows (that may sound harsh, but they were creepy). There was one guy that kept yelling, trying to get our attention at a red light. We just ignored him. As a result, while driving away, the van he was in accelerated and he yelled, "Take this!" and threw something back at our car. I think it was just a piece of paper or a cigarette. I would love to call him a immature little moron, but I won't, even though I kind of just did. It's amazing how in the city, the adults are so misbehaved. Oh well. Along with all these mean people are a lot of wonderful people. They're all mixed together. It's not easy to find them, but when you do, it's worth it.

I've noticed that the city is beginning to feel familiar in a way, kind of like home. I'm getting comfortable with it. Who knew?! I still don't think I would ever choose to live here though. :) It's just not home. 

Some investigators came to church yesterday! Woot! But, I'm nerves about one of them. I think he may be interested in the missionaries in the wrong way. I think he was flirting a little. This is a BIG NO! We're going to have to figure out how to work with him. It's not the right time to give him to the Elders, but if he doesn't change his behavior, that will just be something we need to do. He's a good kid, but he just doesn't seem to get that we are missionaries ALL THE TIME, not just for a few hours each day. We'll see what happens.

What I have been learning within the past couple of weeks is the power of attitude. Of course, we all know that a good attitude changes everything. However, it's on thing to know it, and it's another thing to actually apply it and work to obtain it. Sometimes, it's pretty hard to maintain a good attitude, especially when dealing with so many people who react to missionaries in various ways. But, just think, if one can master having a positive attitude and always focusing on what they are grateful for while on a mission, then it will be that much easier when done with the mission, and it will be a skill that can bless many for life. It's that small, basic, yet huge and powerful thing. Our thoughts. Our focus. What we think is what we become. We reflect what we think. Do you want to change the world? Change your thoughts. I found a scripture in 2 Nephi. I think it was in chapter 14, but it said the people couldn't hide their sin because it showed in their countenance. We really do reflect our thoughts, what we say, what we read, what we listen to, etc. It really shows through. This brings us to a very important question. What are we focused on? As I have paid more attention to my thoughts, I have found that I tend to focus on the mean people more than the kind. I focus and the negative rather than the positive. Don't do this!!! I remember while in college last year, I took the challenge to find 100 or more things I was grateful for in about a couple of weeks to a months time (if I remember correctly). I had to write them down, and write down WHY I was grateful for it, how it was unique to me. I did this, and because I felt like finding 100 things to be grateful for within that time frame would be hard, I focused on finding what I was grateful for ALL the time. What was the result? The world felt as if it changed. It didn't change though. It was just me. It was just my thoughts. That's it. The change that took place was in me. I was so happy. Nothing negative seemed to affect me. You know how one bad thing happens in your day and when someone asks you how your day was, you automatically go to that hard thing and focus on it, giving it priority, and forgetting some of the good? My mind changed gear, and I was forgetting the bad and remembering the good. My mind had completely changed and I was at a point that I could change the world because I had no limits set up in my mind about what I could or couldn't do. I share this with you to help you all see the importance of our minds. What are we giving it? In the June 2014 Ensign, there is an article called, "Media with Merit." I loved it. I also loved the talk in this last General Conference by President Uchtdorf on gratitude. They are amazing and show us the importance of our minds and what we put in it. I can promise you that if you focus on the good, let go of grudges, put away all entertainment that is in any way "a little inappropriate," use entertainment that uplifts and inspires, focus on ALL the good that is around you, seek to serve others, and just forget yourself. You will be so happy. Truly happy. Happier than you could have ever imagined. It doesn't matter what you're going through. 
I feel like I needed to say this. If any of you who are reading my letter are struggling and needed to hear this, please remember God loves you. Just be happy by focusing on the good. I've realized that is says over and over and over again in the scriptures to "give thanks," and to "remember the goodness of God." In other words, be grateful in your circumstances. Just focus on the good. If anything negative comes to mind, sing a hymn, or write a scripture down and keep it in with you at all times. If you feel the temptation to focus on anything that is not pure, happy, uplifting, or productive, take out the card, try to memorized the scripture, and think to yourself, "Take that world." Memorize scriptures that mean something to you. Pray to have the Spirit with you at all times. He can help these scriptures to have special meaning to you and to have a power that heals and comforts. Remember Doctrine and Covenants 6:36. Christ is speaking and says, "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." Look to Christ in every thought. What does this mean? It means to remember with a grateful heart Gods plan. It means to always be grateful for what you have because it is a blessing from a loving Heavenly Father who sent His son, our brother, our Savior, our Redeemer, our friend, to die for. Christ did it willing because he loves you. Never forget the goodness that comes from him and the Atonement. Never forget that each and every moment is a blessing. You are alive. You are loved. You are here, and you are never alone. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

June 02, 2014

General Email:

So, I'm just about out of time, so I will be making this quick. I think I wrote about my birthday, but I'm not sure, so I'll recap really quick. The relief society gave Sister North and I a chocolate cake for our birthdays! How fun. :) and then we went out and ate with the Daubek family. They are so cool. It was Sister Daubeks birthday just a few days before mine, so we had a cake to celebrate three birthdays. :) Sister daubek was given a card that says, "Your not old until the fat lady sings." As soon as you opened the card, it would make the sound of opera singing and there was a picture of a fat opera lady. Brother Daubek opened the card and said, "You're fat... Oh, wait. No, you're old. I read that wrong. I'm so sorry. I read that so wrong." We started laughing and then Sister Daubek replied, "You know what, I'm going to go drown my sorrow in that cake." Bah ha. Then we all started  juggling. :D

We went tracting on a street that had stood out to Sister North. We were knocking on doors when my allergies hit hard, and I couldn't stop coughing. We saw the plant I'm allergic to and we skipped many houses so we wouldn't be down wind from the place. It was blowing all the pollen in my face or something. So, anyway, when we got to a spot where my allergies stopped, we were in front of a house with loud music. We walked up and had to knock three times for someone to hear us. Sister North introduced ourselves and when she asked if we could share a message with her, the lady said, "Sure, come on in." At first were both thinking, "Whoa, are you serious?" And we got to share a little bit with her. We have a return appointment with her tonight. She is so nice. She's 23. She has a two year old son who is a big flurt. She kept giving us hugs and putting his head on my arm. His mom kept laughing and picking him up saying, "he's such a flurt. I blame his dad. He got it from him." :)

I hope you are all taking Elder Ballards challenge to share the gospel/invite someone to learn more about the gospel every quarter (three months). Take it seriously. Just remember, the Lord takes you seriously, so we need to take Him seriously. He's doing everything he can to help us. We need to do everything we can to help Him. 

Have a great rest of the week! :)

~Sister Tayla Wells

May 26, 2014- Birthday Week-

General Email:

Thanks for the birthday wishes everyone! It was a good birthday. In
the morning, I found that my companion had created a birthday Easter
egg hunt that had numbered pieces of a note. I had to collect all 21
pieces to put it together to see what it said. It was great! She's so
nice! Then, in relief society, they announced that it was my birthday
and that it had been my companions birthday the week before (she's a
week older) and gave us a cake. So cute! :D Man, 21 years. I'm old. ;)
This week was a good week. One investigator went to institute and
another came to the relief society dinner. The week was slow though. I
was a little sick, and then my companion is feeling a little sick. The
weather has been very jumpy. It is either winter or summer. Yesterday
and today decided to be summer. Maybe that's messing with it. It sure
is affecting allergies for many people. We got the knows about
transfers on Saturday. Everyone in my district is staying! :) I will
be in Indiana for another 6 weeks. How nice. I have a lot I can learn
here. It's amazing how much there is to learn! Especially when the
Spirit is involved.
Because this week was a slow one due to sickness and people missing
appointments, I don't early have too much to cover. I would like to
say this though. We as members of the True church have so much work to
do!!! Let's hop to it. People still aren't trying to be missionaries.
They aren't even doing family home evening, family/individual
scripture study, or family/individual prayer. If we can't even do
these simple yet vital things that God has asked us to do, how can we
expect to be prepared to listen to the prophet and apostles and to
share the gospel with EVERYONE? We need to make an effort to do these
things and rate them as a high priority in our lives. We need to be
missionaries in our own homes. When we make room for this, everything
else falls into place, and we invite God into our lives to change us
faster into something greater, to help reach the highest potential.
Please make sure you do these things. God never intended for us to be
so busy that we forget to include Him in our lives. If we are "to
busy" to do these things, then something needs to change now. Make
room for Him and He will make room for you. Lastly, make sue you are
ALWAYS striving to have the Holy Ghost with you at ALL moments,
EVERYDAY.
I love you all!!!! Have a great week!

May 19, 2014

General Email:

This week was an interesting week. We had a zone meeting and exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders. The zone meeting was powerful! Pretty much, we were called to repentance, but told we were so loved and to keep trying. There is always room to improve, to be more obedient. We are working super hard to fix any areas where we might be slacking. The night we had zone conference, we also did the exchange. Sister Bradly, one of the STLs, came here, and my companion, Sister North, went up to Chicago. To be honest, I really don't like being placed in leadership positions. Staying in my area meant that I was in charge. Ha! Any way, that really showed me where I could improve and change, so it was a good thing. Sister Bradly was very encouraging. We went to the library the next morning and when were were leaving, a woman was walking out as well. She was so nice and kept smiling, and didn't shun us when we said hi to her and held the doors open. As we walked back to our car, I got the feeling to give her a pass along card. Of course, I chickened out because she got into her car, so we got into ours. But I felt the feeling even stronger, so I told Sister Bradly and we hopped out, walked over, and knocked on her car window. Ha ha, she wasn't weirded out at all! She was super happy! When we introduced ourselves and gave her a pass along card, we found out she used to be an investigator about two years ago. She said she wasn't interested at this time, but she was super nice! She even waved when she drove away. Later that day, we were driving passed a neighborhood where we have an investigator that kind of disapeared before I came to the area. I got the feeling to go find him, so we did. He was home! He wasn't there when we came for our return appointment. :/  We also went tracting and found a cool new investigator name Tom. When it came time to have an appointment with him, we couldn't find anyone females to come with us, no one his age that he could connect with (the mission rule for safety is 3 females to 1 male). So we prayed, and we felt it would be good to call Daniel. We met at an ice cream shop which, come to find out, doesn't have a place indoors for us to sit, so we had the lesson outside on the benches. It was so cold!!!!!!!! Our poor member wasn't dressed warm enough, but he toughened it out. :) When we got home from the lesson, he texted us and told us he saw a truck at a neighbors that looked just like the one that our investigator drives. Come to find out, they live three houses away from each other!!! What?!!!!!!!!! How cool is that!!!!! :D

I'm learning a lot this week. A big thing is how to listen to the Spirit. I think I have been slacking on that lately. Oops. Never too late to improve!!!! :)

Love ya'll! 

Sincerely, Sister Tayla Wells

May 12, 2014

General Email: 

We had a crazy adventure last night. We were visiting a less active

when the daughter got a weather alert on her phone. It sent a warning

for a sever thunder storm, and then one for a dangerous thunderstorm.

Suddenly, the wind picked up. Sister North and I decided we should

start driving to our ward members home where we would be calling home

for Mother's Day. As we walked across the street to our car, the rain

began. As soon as we drove around the corner, a wall of rain slammed

against the car and we could hardly see the road. The wind became so

ferocious within a matter of minutes and branches covered the road.

Our drive became a game of dodge ball as we dodged the large branches

falling in our path. We even had to go around a mail box that had been

blown off its pole. The cars ahead of us and off to the sides were

barely visible. The windshield wipers were on high speed and even then

only allowed a moments glance at what lie ahead. Panicked, we decided

that there was nothing we could do but head to our members home. We

prayed out loud and in our hearts for safety, that At one point we had

to go off roading to avoid a large branch. We decided that if we got

stuck in the mud, we would run to someone's house and ask if we could

please come in. Luckily, we didn't get stuck and made it our members

home. When we arrived, we found two large branches blocking the

entrance to her drive way. We parked in front of her yard, made a run

for it, hopped the branches, and made in side. Needless to say, we

were pretty wet and my shoes are still wet today.

      We Waited for the storm to die down so we could travel home

safely. As we traveled home, we took many detours to avoid the fallen

trees and roads that had been flooded. At one point we found that we

had accidentally driven into a flooded area. We didn't dare stop to

back up for fear that once we stopped, we would be trapped in the

water. We made out just fine. :) this morning as we have driven

around, we have seen large trees uprooted, trees snapped in half,

branches thrown everywhere, downed power lines, sidings and window

screens ripped to pieces, branches scattered, possibly one car smashed

by a tree, flooding, and so on. We are alive though! Woo hoo!!! It was

so scary when we were in the middle of it, but now it's pretty funny

to look back on. We had quite the adventure.

      Early this week past week on Wednesday, we had the opportunity

to attended the temple. Because my area is at the end of the mission,

it was a nice long drive. We drove through some pretty sketchy areas.

They were the kind that you would dread to have your car break down

in. The temple was beautiful! I love the temple. Apparently, Canadian

Geese do too. They were chilling on the roof. Before I left, I ran

into Sister Silski, the lady from my first area who's husband passed

away. It was so wonderful to see her! :) We got to go to the mission

home after to eat lunch and hear a quick lesson.

A lady in my ward, Sister Skeen, just took us to the candy factory. Ha

ha, it was so cute! And she bought us some candy for our birthdays.

She's so sweet. :D She's the one who's house we went to during the

storm.

      Time felt broken this week. It went by rather quickly, but we

didn't get to teach too many people. We did teach quite a few less

actives. It was wonderful to see them all and to see the hope and

change the gospel brings to people who have been without it for so

long. The gospel, when studied and applied to our lives, opens heaven

and the blessings and knowledge just flow. What an awesome gift! We're

so lucky. I would like to throw in really quick that this church is

true. ALL OF IT. The people in the church are not perfect, but the

gospel, the church, is perfect. I have met so many people who stopped

coming because they were offended or because they feel they're not

good enough. Just as President Uchtdorf said, there is room for you!

Just come!

Love you all!!!

May 05, 2014

General Email:

This will probably be pretty short. This week has been interesting with the weather. It will look like it's going to be sunny, but then you walk outside and it's cold. We sat outside and taught a lesson and it was so cold and windy, yet, I still managed to get a sunburn on my neck. What on earth? Anyway, we hope it will warm up soon so that I won't have to worry about going to buy a jacket, and so that we can finally stop wearing boots and leggings. That will be super nice. :D We really want the sun. People say that the weather is a month behind. This is something we would expect for the beginning of April. They also said that this summer is supposed to mild and winter is expected to be another bad one. This winter was the worst winter they have experienced, over 30 days below 0 degrees. They say the next winter will probably be bad again. Many had said they are sick of this weather and want to move. Goodness. Many have. We are supposed to have around 36 members moving out of the ward by the end of this month.

Fun story. We went to go to a members for dinner. We knocked on the door and no one answered. We felt like we should just stand there, so we did. When we felt good about walking away, a lady pulled up. Come to find out, we were one house off, but this lady was interested in learning! Interesting how the Lord works. We both have been to the members home before, yet, it didn't dawn on us that we were at the wrong house. The lady was super nice. Also, another funny story. We have some new investigators, and the husband and wife have the same birthdays as us. The husbands birthday is May 18 like Sister Norths, and the wifes is May 25, like mine. Weird, eh? What a coincidence. Haven't had that one happen yet. 

Lesson learned this week: thoughts are SUPER powerful. They can change the way you see the world, yourself, and they influence your desires. As I have worked hard to fight negative thoughts with positive ones and have tried too look at what I'm grateful for, my perspective has changed, and my desire to serve, change, and become a better person has increased. Be very aware of your thoughts. My zone leader mentioned a quote that thoughts are the ancestors that precede action. Our thoughts become our actions, who we are, and how we treat people. It's so interesting. 

I hope you're all having an amazing week! Love you all! Keep working hard. Remember that all will be well as we have faith and rely on the Lord, and remember that our afflictions may seem like they are huge when we are in the middle of them, but they will pass before we know it. Bye!

April 28, 2014

General Email:

Ha, so I almost forgot to write the general e-mail. My bad. It's crazy to read my e-mails every Monday and to read about all the different things that are taking place. There's so much happening and everyone is growing up and moving on in life. Wow. It will be such a shock to come home and see all the different changes taking place. I'm super excited to know that my aunt got baptized!!!!!!!!! Woo!!!!!!!!!!!! So exciting!!!! :D I'm super happy. That's just great.

We have an awesome investigator. She has a baptismal date set for May 24. Cool, eh? I hope she can keep pushing forward. Her testimony is growing so much. It makes me so happy. We are meeting many great people out here. I have been told by many that this area tends to be a missionaries favorite because the people are so nice, not necessarily because people will actually listen. Overall, it has a good feeling to it, and the drivers aren't insane like they were in my first area, just inpatient at times. 

Something I'm learning more about this week is how to apply faith in finding, and more about how God answers prayers. Often, He turns us to the scriptures. The scriptures contain so much information, it's insane. Wow. I love that we have been so blessed to have scriptures. The people who stand in their doors and bad mouth the Book of Mormon or who don't believe there can be any more than the Bible are missing out on so much. The Bible even talks about the Book of Mormon, and the Book of Mormon testifies of the Bible. Everything is there. Why can't people see it? How can they shut out the Spirit as it testifies of the Book of Mormon? It just doesn't make sense to me. It's so sad to see them reject it. They think it's something crazy, but if they would just listen, they could find out it's true!
There are so many people who won't even let us say a word. We ran into a man like that last night who opened the door, saw us, and quickly said, "See you later," and closed the door in our faces. Too many lack kindness, too many have closed their hearts to what is good. Sometimes, seeing such bitterness and anger makes me fear for the world. At other times, I feel so good knowing that God is in charge, that everything will be okay, and He's still working with some to help them be prepared to receive his Gospel. Those people who are prepared are out there, we just have to find them. All will be well in the end. :)

~Sister Tayla Wells

April 21, 2014

General Email: 

Hey everyone! Sorry for having such a rushed week last week and not

getting to wright much. This will be a very long email to make up for

last weeks. :) Yes, I have been transferred. Before getting

transferred, I wanted to share some stories, so I'll share them now.

In my last ares, my apartment was located in the City of Zion. Let me

tell you, it is far from the Zion we read about in the scriptures, ha!

Oh goodness. We found out that Zion was nick named murder-ville. Fun,

eh? Oh, and the street we had just visited twice they day before, come

to find out, had a drive by shooting. We weren't there though. God

really does keep us away from danger. We are so protected! I'm very

grateful for that. Whenever we find out something big happened, we

find it happens when we are far away from it. :) Even though the city

we lived in was a strange place, I loved my area and all the people

there, even though we ran into a crazy guy I mentioned previously (the

drunk guy). Living there was a HUGE blessing for me. In my first area,

I was still shy and struggled to talk to people; they looked scary! A

majority of people look like they will hurt you if you dare look at

them. In my last area (2nd area), when I struggled to speak during

lessons, I made my companion unhappy. It got to a point where I had to

decide, I am more afraid of the people or my companion who I spend

24/7 with? I  was more afraid of disappointing my companion. This

pushed me to speak up, even when I felt like I was making a fool of

myself. What I learned was it was all in my head. I could contribute

by speaking, and I wasn't an awful teacher after all. Woo! Even

speaking to strangers was much easier. Thanks to my last area and all

the people there, I'm overcoming my fear of speaking up. Coming to my

new area is now a test for me to hold onto what I learned and apply it

without having my last companion there to push me to speak up. It's

amazing how The Lord works and knows what we need to move forward.

 Before I move on from speaking about my last area, I want to talk
about an experience I had there while tracting. It helped restore my
confidence in tracting. Sister Lepule and I were driving and I think
at that point our plans fell through. While looking through the papers
of ward members, the name of a lady popped out. It had been mentioned
many times by many people throughout the last couple of days, so we
felt the a Spirit was telling us to go there. After knocking and
having no one answer the door, we figured we had been led there for
someone in the neighbor hood. It turns out, we were there for the
second house was tracked at across the street from the ward member.
Her name is Noelia. She met with the missionaries a little over 20
years ago. She lost contact with them when she had moved and didn't
think the church or the missionaries were around where she was living
now. For a few years she has been having a hard time and family
members were telling her she should start going to church again, but
she didn't know which one to go to. The night we came, she said she
prayed for a sign to know where to go, to have direction in knowing
which church was the true church. Less than an hour later, we knocked
on the door. How amazing is that! It goes to show how amazing God is
and when we just listen and involve Him, we will guide us. We're never
alone! She invited her mom over to a lesson with us and both were so
excited, and they came and watched general conference. They were so
excited when we invite them to come attended a baptism. The Lord has
really prepared them and they are so ready to learn! So exciting!!!!

A couple of weeks ago I received an e-mail from a ward member in my
first area. She wanted to tell me a little bit of what took place
after I left the area. A brother in the ward had died, and to help his
wife feel better, I drew a portrait of her husband from a picture that
we had taken together a week before he fell ill. I guess she really
likes it and it brings here comfort. She framed it and has it up on
her wall. I'm so happy it helped. :') I didn't know how I could use
art to help anyone, but an opportunity occurred! you never know when
something will come in handy. I wasn't alone in drawing that. I felt
the Spirit so strongly while working on it.
Oh!!! Guess what. It snowed again las Monday! And it's crazy to think
I got a sunburn a few days before that. What?!
So, about my new area. I'm in Indiana (I have lived in 3 states now).
It's the furthest down you can go in the mission, which is funny
considering my last area was the furthest up you could go. I have now
been on both ends and in the middle (middle-ish). We have a washer and
drier in the apartment! Woo!!! So exciting. Laundry takes so much more
effort when you have to travel and carry it around. My new companion
is Sister North. She's from the Salt Lake area. In mission lingo,
she's my niece. Her trainer was trained by my trainer.
There are good people here. Since last night though, I have felt a
little troubled. We met a girl who just turned 20. She is very kind,
but completely anti religion. She grew up in an LDS home belt felt
like she was being forced to go to church, so she stopped going as
soon as she turned 18. :( What troubles me is how people can grow up
around the true church, who are exposed to this wonderful gospel their
whole lives, yet, their desire to rebel takes over and they listen to
the wrong voices and go down dangerous paths. Stop it! Just stop
letting Satan trick you! Bah. This hurts to see. How can anyone deny
Christ? :'( I have seen this so many times, but as of late, it just
gets to me. I know this is Gods true church, Christ is our redeemer
and savior, the Spirit testifies of this, and we just need to listen.
How on earth can people allow them selves to become so hardened that
they can completely reject the witness of the Holy Ghost? Pride. I
have found so much of it has to do with pride. It's everywhere in the
scriptures.
Lastly, since this letter is already very long, I'll wrap up with the
letter the First Presidency sent out to all the wards. I'm assuming
you all heard about it yesterday at church. They were following up on
the challenge to all of us to invite someone to learn more about the
gospel or to simply come to church. They raised the bar to invite
someone every three months. People aren't taking this seriously. My
challenge to all who are reading my letter is to GET TO WORK. The Lord
is relying on us. Are we really so busy that we can't help our
Heavenly Father? Doesn't The Lord mean more to us than the fear of
inviting others to come closer to Christ? Fear is a choice which has
been a huge and hard lesson for me to learn, but I'm learning it, and
finally came to this realization with the help of Christina who was
just baptized. She has such amazing faith! Choose God over fear.
Review the challenges extended during conference, and do it. I love
you all. This church is true. If you don't know that, remember to
doubt your doubts before you doubt you faith, as President Uchtdorf
has told us. Never give up, and never let go of the iron rod. Hop to
it.
~Sister Tayla Wells